Airlines Lift U.S.-to-Europe Fares by Paring Seats

U.S. carriers led by United Continental Holdings Inc. are shielding their lucrative trans-Atlantic business from the worst of Europe’s economic slump, after shrinking the supply of seats to support higher fares.

Summer ticket prices to western Europe have risen an average of 3 percent from 2011, according to Travelocity.com. Demand for U.S.-to-Europe trips also is holding up, with ticket sales climbing 5.9 percent to 1.31 million for the peak travel months, according to data compiled by Airlines Reporting Corp.